Monday, December 3, 2012

cookies+parades

With the Advent posts I'm doing, you might end up with 2 posts on some days!! So many events happening! Ha! So watch for the Advent post later! But for now.....it's our traditional sugar cookie making!! It's a messy bunch of fun!

One advantage of living near Guthrie, is all the festivities they have at different seasons!! The Christmas parade!! The night seemed a bit magical! ......and we stood right in front of the coffee shop Anna works at sooooo we had to pop in there after and get something!!!

Joel

Joel's Story

Joel, our 11th of 13 and a twin of Josiah, at age 3 was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma, a childhood cancer, on December 6th, 2006. Joel had three perfect years of health and he and Josiah celebrated their 3rd birthday Sept. 13th, 2006. The first of Oct. Joel started having unexplained fevers for a few days and would return to active play. After the fourth round of fevers we took him to our family Dr. which they said his iron was low, so we treated that for a few weeks and took him back only to have his hemo. showing lower than before. We were referred to a hematologists and saw him a few weeks with blood checks twice a week. At a visit on Dec. 4th we showed the Dr. the bumps, (which were tumors but we did not know at the time) on Joel's head and he was very concerned and we were told we needed to admit him immediately and start extensive tests the following day. Joel went through rigorous testing and then the dreaded results were given. Joel was at a stage IV the most extensive stage, but we were hopeful that the Lord would use the means of Chemotherapy treatments to restore Joel's body. Joel endured 8 1/2 days in the hospital, came home for Christmas, and returned for his second round of chemo Jan. 3, 2007. Joel had a seizure that night after midnight and went into a coma due to a tumor bleeding in his head area and causing his brain to swell. After tests the following days, the Dr. declared Joel "brain dead" and took us to court to force us to take Joel off life support, as we did not agree with the medical field's definition of death. Our family sought to stand with the scripture, "life is in the blood,"and until Joel's heart quit beating naturally, he was living. We were making arrangements to bring him home and on January 23, 2007 his little heart stopped beating and he went to be with the Lord Jesus in heaven. Our lives are changed forever. God is faithful in the midst of this trial and we look with great hope to be with him someday.

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About Us

The Lord has blessed us with 13 children,(two sets of twins)Caleb and Daniel are 25, Bethany 23, Elijah 22, Anna 20, Micah 18, Andrew 17, Joshua 15, Jeremiah 13, Hosanna 11, Joel (with the Lord at age 3, 1/23/07 and Josiah 9, Mercy 7. We live on a small farm in Oklahoma and raise Nubian and Boer goats for show.
In May of 07, Terry left his cooperate job of 12 years and is now getting the opportunity to work with his sons in our family construction business. This is a desire that our family has prayed for several years and the Lord has brought it to fruition. We have always home schooled our children and count it a privilege. Caleb and Daniel have purchased 50 acres together close by,and desire to begin their own families. Caleb, our firstborn recently married a wonderful young lady, Kristen 8.9.12 and are now living in Maryland where he has his own construction business. Daniel, the 2nd born has had the privilege of serving the YWAM organization in Australia for 3 months and he also is in Maryland working.Our hope is that this blog will first bring glory to the Lord and bring a smile to your heart as you look into a BIG families life!!!!

Terry and I have been married 26 years as of Nov. 8, 2012. From the very start we have desired all the children that the Lord would give us. We are so grateful for the opportunity to nurture and admonish the blessings He has given thus far for His kingdom! (photo 8/12)